A DENTAL technician from West Devon has won a place at the national finals of the industry awards — Mastertech 2012.

Tim Reece, 48, the owner of TPR Dental Prosthetics Ltd based in West Street, Tavistock, secured his place by competing in one of the ten regional heats where technicians from across the nation came together to compete. The competition involved a skills assessment and practical test, marked by a panel of five independent judges.

Tim's TPR Dental Prosthetics Limited is an independent dental laboratory that has been established for 22 years. Tim trained in Harley Street, London, for seven years and after establishing a successful laboratory in Kent he relocated to Tavistock in 2001. Tim has also achieved the Straumann Platinum Approved Status.

He said: 'To be included in the nation's top ten is already an achievement and I'm very much looking forward to the finals.'

Tim will now join nine other technicians to take part in the live final on May 18 at the Dental Technology Showcase 2012, held in the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

Mastertech 2012 is organised by the Dental Laboratory Association and British Institute of Dental and Surgical Technologist.